Biological diversity of inland waters

The Conference of the Parties

Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the programme of work on biological diversity of inland water ecosystems, and of the second joint work plan with the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), including the River Basin Initiative;

Takes note of the report of the World Commission on Dams, issued in November 2000, in regard to the implementation of the programme of work on biological diversity of inland water ecosystems;

Emphasizes the importance of review and elaboration of the programme of work on biological diversity of inland water ecosystems, as outlined in the progress report of the Executive Secretary on thematic programmes of work(1),) and of the implementation of activity 11 of programme of work on the Global Taxonomy Initiative;

Recognizing the importance of the River Basin Initiative for implementation of the programme of work on biological diversity of inland water ecosystems and application of the ecosystem approach, requests the Executive Secretary to strengthen collaboration with the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) on the implementation of the River Basin Initiative;

Requests the Executive Secretary and Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) to facilitate the implementation of the third work plan with the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), as endorsed by the Conference of the Parties in its decision VI/20 C, on cooperation with the Convention on Wetlands;

Urges the Global Environment Facility, other funding institutions, and development agencies to provide financial support for implementation of the programme of work on the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems as well as the River Basin Initiative.